Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX07CA249

Moab, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

C-GTHY

Aviat Husky A-1B

Analysis

One of the conventional gear airplane's main wheels encountered low vegetation during the takeoff ground roll and the aircraft ground looped. The pilot positioned the airplane at the southeast end of the runway, facing northwest for departure using the full length of runway 32. During the takeoff run, the pilot moved the airplane to the left edge of the runway centerline to avoid a patch of mud on the runway. Just before rotation speed, the left main wheel got caught in the low brush vegetation and uneven ground at the edge of the runway. The pilot cut the power and applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to turn to the left off the runway until the right wing tip impacted the ground, and stopped the airplane.

Factual Information

One of the airplane's main wheels encountered low vegetation during the takeoff ground roll and the aircraft ground looped. The pilot positioned airplane at the southeast end of the runway, facing northwest for departure using the full length of runway 32. During the takeoff run, the pilot moved the airplane to the left edge of the runway centerline to avoid a patch of mud on the runway. Just before rotation speed, the left main wheel got caught in the low brush vegetation and uneven ground at the edge of the runway. The pilot cut the power, and applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to turn to the left off the runway until the right wing tip impacted the ground, and stopped the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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